article

A fertility analysis of Jamaica: recent trends with reference to the Parish of St. Ann

Social and economic studies • 23 (4) • Published In 1974 • Pages: 588-636

By: Sinclair, Sonja S..

Abstract

This article analyzes changes in fertility patterns in Jamaica utilizing data from the 1943, 1960, and 1970 censuses. The population was growing rapidly as a result of high fertility combined with drops in mortality since the 1920s. This dynamic is considered a problem for economic development and there are efforts to induce a demographic transition to control fertility. Some historical background is provided on migration, mortality, fertility, and population growth, but there is little information on the contemporary socio-cultural context. Fertility rates are then compared by parish with reference to age cohorts, family type, and family planning efforts. The author finds that there has been a much lower population increase in the parish of St. Ann, which has been a major focus of both private and public family planning efforts since the 1950s.

Subjects

Demography

Towns

Public welfare

culture

Jamaicans

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Caribbean

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Social Scientist-4

Analyst

Eleanor Swanson ; John Beierle ; 1976

Field Date

not applicable

Coverage Date

1844-1974

Coverage Place

Jamaica; St. Ann Parish, Jamaica

Notes

By Sonja S. Sinclair

Footnotes contain bibliographic references, see pp. 633-634 of Category 116.

LCCN

56027552

LCSH

Jamaica--Social life and customs